The Role of Adoption Agencies in Facilitating the Adoption Process

Adoption agencies are licensed establishments that help facilitate adoption by ensuring that all process aspects meet state requirements. They also handle all financial support for an expectant mother. They can provide references and reviews from previous birth mothers and adoptive parents.

Pre-placement

Adoption can be a confusing and emotional time, especially for those new to the process. For this reason, many people turn to the best adoption agencies for birth mothers to help them navigate the legalities and expenses.

Private adoption agencies help birth parents find adoptive families, facilitate agreements and payments, and settle birth mother expenses. They also handle all legal documentation and filing.

Prospective adoptive parents should interview prospective adoption professionals before signing agreements or paying fees. They should also ask questions about the agency’s fee policy and what services they offer. For example, they should know if the agency will provide them with an attorney or if they will need to hire one independently. The answers to these questions will determine whether the agency is right for them. They should also ensure the agency is licensed and meets their state’s requirements. 

Post-placement

Once a family is matched with a child, the agency will provide counseling and education to prepare them for adoptive parenthood. They will also help the family determine how much contact with birth parents they want. This may involve calls, visits, or photos and updates at milestones. After a child is placed in the home, agencies usually conduct post-placement visits. These are similar to the home study visits and will focus on the child’s and parents’ adjustment to the placement. They will write a report that will be submitted to the child’s country of origin and possibly to the adoption court.

Many families feel intimidated by these visits, but they should not be. The social workers who conduct these visits do not care if the baseboards are dusty or the toys are stacked neatly; they are concerned that the child and family are healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. They want the adoption to succeed.

Counseling

Adoption counselors work with adoptive parents, birth parents, and other parties to help guide them through adoption. Their job duties include preparing home studies, matching families with expecting mothers and helping the family navigate the legal process. Some agencies handle the entire process, facilitating all aspects of adoption from start to finish. Others may specialize in an area, such as domestic infant or international adoptions. When choosing an agency, looking for one that will match your needs and expectations is essential. This can be done through prayer, research, or referrals.

Those interested in adoption can also work with an independent adoption attorney. However, this option can be more complicated than working with an agency and typically requires more investment. 

Training

Adoption agencies can work with both adoptive parents and expectant mothers. National adoption agencies have the resources and staff to complete an adoption from start to finish. They can also assist with identifying families and interviewing prospective parents. They will also facilitate the home study process and act as an intermediary between the prospective adoptive parents and the pregnant mother.

Adoption agencies’ fees for their services vary from State to State and county to county. The agencies usually outline their fee policy at the beginning of the process. They may also have different payment policies, such as monthly or lump sums due at specific times during adoption. Some agencies may specialize in a certain type of adoption, such as domestic or international. Many of these agencies have waiting lists that can sometimes be years long. They will also help prospective adoptive parents decide what kind of relationship they want with the child.